It May Be Wild When The Wildcats Play At Ohio Stadium

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.

“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

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Northwestern Wildcats (Game 8)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 6 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo was for certain.  DL Ben Oxley claimed to have an Ohio State offer, but I did not see that on any of the recruiting sites I visited.  Oxley does hail from my hometown of Avon Lake, which is a plus in my book.

Game Date: October 29, 2016

Kickoff Time: 5:30pm EST, telecast TBD on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2

Location: Ohio Stadium

Rationale For The Ranking: Northwestern makes its first trip into Ohio Stadium since 2007, when Jim Tressel was the head coach for the Buckeyes, Todd Boeckman was the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes, and virtually everyone on both teams were still in grade school.  Ohio State played at Northwestern in 2013, when Carlos Hyde came back from a three game suspension to score three touchdowns and rush for 168 yards in a 40-30 victory.

Here’s a better reason why I think Ohio State needs to be on their toes for this one - Ohio State will be coming off two road games at night (at Wisconsin, at Penn State), while Northwestern will have played a home game versus Indiana the week before.  This is the kind of game that Ohio State cannot afford to be complacent about, as Northwestern won ten games in 2015.  Pat Fitzgerald will have the Wildcats thinking upset.

Prediction: Ohio State will be excited to be playing in front of the home crowd for the first time in weeks.  While not a traditional "night game", the sun will have set by the time this game concludes.  Considering this is Halloween weekend, the fans will be in good form for this one.  As long as Ohio State comes into this game in the right frame of mind, after two potentially challenging road games, look for the Buckeyes to finish up October on a winning note.

Previous Rankings:

7 - Nebraska

8 – at Maryland
9 – Indiana 
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

Yeah...It Was Kind Of A Big Deal

Nebraska At Night In November Needs No Hype

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.

“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (Game 9)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 7 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: N/A, surprisingly. Ohio State did recruit DL Greg McMullen years ago, but McMullen announced his intention to quit football earlier this spring.

Game Date: November 5, 2016

Kickoff Time: 8pm EST, telecast TBD on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2

Location: Ohio Stadium

Rationale For The Ranking: Nebraska was truly snakebitten during 2015. Coming off a 5-7 season under Mike Riley, the Cornhuskers can only go up, right? Right?

Here’s a better reason why I think Ohio State will be in good shape for this game ~ Nebraska will be coming off another road game, at Wisconsin. Ohio State has a challenging game of their own the week before against Northwestern, but at home. Oh, by the way…This is a night game in Ohio Stadium. Do you think Urban Meyer may be wanting to send a message as November begins? I was in attendance in Ohio Stadium in 2012 the last time Nebraska visited; I have no doubt the crowd will be revved up for this one also.

Prediction: Ohio State will be coming off a home game against Northwestern, while who knows what kind of condition Nebraska will be in after a road game at Wisconsin. Look for many of Ohio State’s top recruits to be in attendance, as Coach Meyer always salivates at the opportunity to showcase Ohio State football in night games. This could be a preview of The B1G Championship Game in December, depending on how Nebraska responds after such a trying 2015 season.

Previous Rankings:

8 – at Maryland
9 – Indiana 
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

Buckeyes Will Need To Keep Their Minds On Maryland In November

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.
“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

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Maryland Terrapins (Game 10)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 8 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: Players Recruited By Ohio State: OL Derwin Gray, OL Damian Prince, WR Taivon Jacobs, RB Wes Brown, DL Adam McLean. Jacobs actually gave a verbal commitment to Ohio State back in 2013, but decided to sign with Maryland to be closer to his young daughter.

Game Date: November 12, 2016

Kickoff Time: TBA

Location: Byrd Stadium (College Park, Maryland)

Rationale For The Ranking: Maryland gave Ohio State a tougher than expected game in 2015, eventually losing 49-28 in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State had no problems with Maryland in Byrd Stadium, defeating Maryland 52-24. Why is Maryland ranked higher than other Ohio State opponents?

As in most things in life, timing is key. Ohio State will be coming off a night game against Nebraska on November 5th, and a revenge game is on the horizon at Michigan State on November 19th. Will Ohio State be tempted to be looking ahead?

Prediction: Former Urban Meyer protege D.J. Durkin is at the helm for Maryland now, and look for the Terrapins to become a more physical team that will be able to compete against the other traditional powers in The B1G East. Ohio State should be able to control this game, provided the Buckeyes do not take the Terrapins too lightly or look ahead to the trip to East Lansing.
Previous Rankings:

9 – Indiana
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa